The Mappa response in full

ELAINE Torrance, of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (Mappa), said: “These murders were a tragedy which cut short the lives of two people in Dundee and left their loved ones devastated.

“We have kept the families informed throughout this Significant Case Review, and our thoughts remain with them.

“While the review found these murders could not have been prevented or predicted by a more comprehensive intervention by Mappa partners, we accept improvements in the arrangements have been identified and a great deal of work has been undertaken to address recommendations.

“We also acknowledge the areas of good practice which have been highlighted in the report and will continue to work together to enhance the management of sex offender notification requirements within our communities.

“As independent chair, I am pleased the report recognises the strength of local arrangements to co-locate practitioners from NHS Tayside, Criminal Justice Social Work and Police Scotland who support Mappa processes and the robust initial Mappa response to individuals who are subject to sex offender notification requirements.

The responsible authorities accept all of the recommendations and are already working to address these.

“Some key developments, including strengthened arrangements for attendance and information sharing at Mappa meetings within NHS Tayside have been established, including: standardised approaches for collating information from mental health services prior to Mappa meetings and for sharing information from Mappa meetings.

“An alert system has now been put in place to inform NHS Tayside staff of individuals who may present a risk to staff or patients and to make sure they are fully up-to-date in relation to all people managed under Mappa.

“Police Scotland Tayside Division offender management staff have been given guidance on the management of offenders who are foreign nationals, including instructions regarding the use of translators. Additional training for all offender management unit staff has also been completed.

“At a national level, Police Scotland issued a revised offender management toolkit in April last year which provides clear, concise and accessible role and rank specific guidance for every aspect of offender management.

“The Tayside Mappa strategic oversight group, through the Police Scotland National ViSOR Unit, has introduced a new national information sharing process with Home Office Immigration Enforcement for foreign nationals subj ect to sex offender notification requirements.

“I hope communities are reassured recommendations from this SCR are being robustly addressed.

“The strategic oversight group is committed to a culture of learning and continuous improvement and to continuing to collaborate with other public protection committees in order to protect children and adults living within Tayside from abuse, neglect and harm.”